mm 



usn ' ,-. 












^n^^ 


<mTmmbEH 


: '-^a-j^H 


,- f\ A A'A< 




ATfATVffllfil 


i p nsj^wf tj^ 



r.,-- 



Y-fT 



aA J Z -A a 






^.mm' v ^iv aa^^^ 



■ "" ■ a _ » "i a amH' - '■ ... : H - c 



v a ; ■* ■ a A' lMv >P' V- ; * ,& 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

PRESENTED BY 



UNITED STATES OF AMEEIOA. 



A A 'A ^. 






A< ' - ,-s /? 00 aA a/o ow U aaOH ■ , 






££OT' 






v if . 'H 1 ~ " « 



^§A.£k : 






t t Vaa^: 



s ^¥§ 






fV\ ■« -■ . 
























Aaaa*- 1 A! '"* ^aAaaaa ' *OAaOO ;> i - 



: A /Aa'Aa 



A a a 



-.">-> ^ r 



-\ • - 



w^^ ©si 












k" - a ^ _ _. * ■ a a . 



* A A *• AAA A iAa**,^ 



^r.^^N^.^^AAA^^AA^^A^A^AA^A 



2 a\ a ,A\ a A 

* * * ~ /-v 



fr/WWV 



act * 



r„* .:" 



2#«f 



~ : - - ; A « A/ - A A _ A * a A^r 



'^"^' 







Proposed Legislation, 
CORRESPONDENCE, 

AND ACTION OF 

Scientific and Commercial 

ASSOCIATIONS ^ 



IN REFERENCE TO 



POLAR COLONIZATION. 



Washington, I >. ( ' 



Q63d 
5 H *"* 



J 



PROPOSED LEGISLATION. 



A BILL to authorize and equip an expedition to the Arctic 

Seas : 

"Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
President of the United States be authorized to organize 
and send out one or more expeditions toward the North Pole, 
and to establish a temporary colony, for purposes of explor- 
ation, at some point north of the eighty-first degree of north 
latitude, on or near the shore of Lady Franklin Bay; to 
detail such officers or other persons of the public service to 
take part in the same as may be necessary, and to use auy 
public vessel that may be suitable for the purpose; the 
scientific operations of the expedition to be prosecuted in 
accordance with the advice of the National Academy of 
Science ; and that the sum of fifty thousand dollars, or such 
part thereof as may be necessary, be hereby appropriated out 
of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, 
to be expended under the direction of the President : Pro- 
vided, That no part of the sum so appropriated shall be car- 
ried to the surplus fund or covered into the Treasury until 
the purposes of the appropriation shall have been com- 
pleted, but may be applied to expenses of said expedition 
incurred during any subsequent year that said expedition 
may be engaged in its duties." 

[Introduced in the House of Representatives, January 8, 1877, by Mr. Hun- 
ter, of Indiana. Read twice, referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, and 
ordered to printed. 

Introduced in the Senate of the United States, February 9, 1877, by Mr. 
DaWes, of Massachusetts. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Naval 
Affairs. 

Reported favorably from House Committee on Naval Affairs, February 22, 
1877, by Mr. Willis, (Report No. 181,) and recommitted and ordered to be 
printed.] 



POLAR COLONIZATION. 



The following selections are made from the numerous 
communications received favoring the Polar Colonization 
plan in its essential features, to show the general feeling of 
interest in the subject among explorers and men of science. 



(From the President of the American Geographical Society.) 

American Geographical Society, 

No. 11 "W. 29th St., New York City, 

January 18th, 1877. 
Captain H. W. Howgate : 

My Dear Sir : Before your letter was received I inserted 
in my annual address a notice of your plan and of the bill 
before Congress. 

As you will find by my address, your mode of exploration 
is the one that I have uniformly approved and recommended 
for many years. I expressed this opinion in my address of 
1869, and in the first of my addresses, which have been 
printed, (1870,) I declared my conviction that a passage to 
the Pole by water would, in all probability, not be found, 
and that the true method of exploration was by sledge oper- 
ations upon land from the furthest point that could be safely 
reached by a vessel. 

You will see from this that 1 have long been impressed 
with your general plan, and the only criticism I have to offer 
is that I think the station should not be limited to some 
point north of 81° ; for though a vessel may winter securely 
in Discovery Bay, and although there is a fine seam ot 
bituminous coal three miles from where the Discovery 
wintered, yet the region, as shown by the experience of the 
English expedition and by the abandonment of the Esqui- 
maux settlements just below it, is very barren of animal 
life either upon the land or upon the water, whilst at Fort 
Foulke it is otherwise, and a temporary colony could be 
maintained there without any difficulty. For this reason I 
think it would have been better to have said north of 78°. 



It will afford me great pleasure to do all that I can to for- 
ward your views, and anything that the Society can do I am 
sure will be done. 

The suggestion I have made as to the limitation in the 
bill as to location of colony is entirely for your consideration, 
and will in no way affect our hearty support of the measure. 

Very truly yours, 

Chas. P. Daly. 



(From Prof. Elias Loomis, of Yale College.) 

Yale College, January 14, 1877. 
Capt. H. W. Howgate: 

Dear Sir: I have received your letter of January 7th, 
together with a copy of a bill to be presented to Congress, 
asking for an appropriation to defray the expense of another 
expedition towards the North Pole. I have for many years 
taken a deep interest in Polar expeditions, and see no reason 
for abandoning further effort because former expeditions 
have not accomplished all that was expected. If we review 
the entire history of Polar expeditions since Captain Parry's 
first voyage, more than half a centur}^ ago, we find that every 
expedition has proved in some sense a failure; that is, has 
accomplished less than was anticipated ; and some may 
therefore conclude that all the labor which has been ex- 
pended on this Polar problem has been wasted. I take a 
very different view of the subject, and consider that the re- 
sults of the many Polar expeditions, from the first voyage of 
Captain Parry to the present time, are worth far more than 
all the money and labor which have been expended on them. 

In order to estimate the value of the results of these expe- 
ditions we should consider what would have been the state 
of our knowledge of the physics of the globe if no such expe- 
ditions had been undertaken. There is scarcely a problem 
relating to the physics of the globe which can be fully 
understood without a knowledge of the phenomena within 
the Polar regions. Whatever phenomena we may wish to 
investigate, it is of special importance to determine its max- 
imum and minimum values, and in nearly all questions of 
terrestrial physics one or other of these values is found in the 
neighborhood of the Pole. If, for example, we wish to de- 
termine the distribution of temperature upon the surface of 



4 

the globe, it is specially important to determine the extremes 
of temperature, one of which is to be found near the equa- 
tor and the other near the Poles. If we wish to investigate 
the system of circulation of the winds, our investigation 
would be sadly deficient without a knowledge of the phe- 
nomena in the Polar regions. 

If we wish to study the fluctuations in the pressure of the 
atmosphere, whether periodical or accidental, we cannot be 
sure that we understand the phenomena in the middle lati- 
tudes unless we know what takes place in the Polar regions. 
If we wish to investigate the currents of the ocean, we find 
indications of currents coming from the Polar regions, and 
it is important to be able to trace these currents to their 
source. If we wish to investigate the laws of the tides, we 
need observations from every ocean ; and observations in the 
Arctic regions have a special value on account of their dis- 
tance from the place where the daily tidal wave takes its 
origin. If we wish to study the phenomena of atmospheric 
electricity and of auroral exhibitions, no part of the world is 
more important than the Polar regions. If we wish to 
study the phenomena of terrestrial magnetism, observations 
in the Polar regions have a special value, since it is here the 
dipping needle assumes a vertical position and the intensity 
of the earth's magnetism is the greatest. If we wish to 
determine the dimensions and figures of the earth, we require 
to know the length of a degree of latitude where it is great- 
est and also where it is least. If we wish to determine how 
the force of gravity varies in different parts of the world, we 
require observations of the second's pendulum both where 
it is greatest and where it is least. In short, there is no 
problem connected with the physics of the globe which does 
not demand observations from the Polar regions, and gener- 
ally the Poles and the Equator are more important as 
stations of observation than any other portions of the earth's 
surface. If the information which has been acquired upon 
the various subjects in the numerous Polar expeditions of the 
last half century were annihilated, it would leave an immense 
chasm which would greatly impair the value of the re- 
searches which have been made in other parts of the world. 

The subjects to which I have here referred are scientific 
rather than commercial ; but many of them have an im- 
portant bearing upon questions which affect the commerce 
of the globe. In the attempts which are now being made 
by the joint efforts of the principal nations of the globe to 



determine the laws of storms, if we could have daily obser- 
vations from a group of stations within the Arctic circle, it 
is believed that they would prove of the highest value in 
enabling us to explain the phenomena of the middle lati- 
tudes. Every winter upon the eastern side of the Rocky 
Mountains we find an intensely cold wave moving down 
from the northward and spreading over a large portion of 
the United States. How can we fully understand the cause 
of the gieat changes of temperature which so frequently 
occur during the winter months unless we know where this 
cold air comes from ? And how can this be determined 
without fixed stations of observation extending northward 
over the Polar regions ? 

The vast extension of the commerce of the world in recent 
times and its increased security are due in no small degree 
to more accurate information respecting the physics of the 
globe, including such subjects as the mean direction and 
force of the prevailing winds ; the laws of storms ; the use 
of the barometer in giving warning of approaching violent 
winds ; the surest mode of escaping the violence of a storm 
when overtaken by a gale; the most advantageous route 
from one part to another; the direction and velocity of the 
current in every ocean ; the variation of the magnetic 
needle in all latitudes, and its changes from year to year ; 
together with many other problems; and most of these in- 
vestigations have been greatly facilitated by observations 
which have been made within the Arctic regions. I do not 
regard it as any exaggeration to claim that the benefits 
which have resulted both directly and indirectly to the com- 
merce of the world in consequence of Polar expeditions, 
are more than equal to all the money which has been ex- 
pended on these enterprises. 

Is any additional advantage to the commerce of the world 
to be anticipated from further explorations in the Polar re- 
gions? Undoubtedly. Precisely what these advantages 
may prove to be we cannot certainly pronounce beforehand; 
but upon most of the questions to which I have already 
alluded more minute information is needed. The demands 
of science are by no means satisfied, and we may confi- 
dently anticipate that any advance in our scientific know- 
ledge respecting questions connected with the physics of the 
globe will impart increased security to commerce. If a 
steamer starting from New York and traveling northward 
could pass directly over the North Pole through Beliring 



6 

Straits into the Pacific Ocean it would be a triumph of ge- 
ographical science equal to the first discovery of America. 
Whether such a result will ever be witnessed we cannot 
safely predict; but past explorations have not shown that 
such an achievement is impossible. I hope we shall not rest 
contented while so much that is clearly feasible remains to 
be done and until the northern boundary of Greenland has 
been traced. 

Hoping that your efforts to secure assistance in tile further 
prosecution of this Polar problem may prove successful, 
I am, with much respect, yours truly, 

Elias Loomis. 



(From Superintendent C. H. Haskins, of the Northwestern Telegraph 
Company.) 

General Superintendent's Office, 

Milwaukee, "Wis., January 24, 1877. 
Captain H. W. Howgate : 

Dear Sir : Yours of 21st received. To work a naked 
wire through or on the snow it is only necessary to observe 
one or two points. 

1st. The snow must be absolutely dry. This condition 
you would probably have in the Polar regions nearly all 
winter. 

2d. Reduce the tension of your battery to the lowest pos- 
sible point. To do this use a good conductor and instru- 
ments of as low resistance as practicable for the circuit and 
few cells of battery. 

I really think that for your expedition, if you intend to 
establish stations 40 or 50, or even 100 miles apart, that a 
form of magneto machine, if made sufficiently light to be 
portable and with coarse helices, to give you a quantity cur- 
rent, would be the thing for you, thus ridding you of the 
nuisance of battery and battery material, freezing, &c. In 
this case you would use polarized relays, as more sensitive. 
Your great trouble will be, not escapes from grounds, but 
any good ground at all for your lines. In this case your 
only remedy would be a metallic circuit, which would re- 
quire two wires, which would get together and bother you. 

With dry snow there is absolutely no escape. The insula- 
tion is as perfect as can be. I told you I had worked over 
one hundred miles with the line under the snow and on it. 



Don't misunderstand me. I do not mean the entire wire 
was covered, but it was blown down in places, sometimes 
on the snow, again in it, and it worked uninterruptedly un- 
til the thaw grounded it. The fact of perfect insulation 
may be tested at any time with the thermometer at zero. 
Ground one end of a large battery, lead the other end 
through a delicate galvanometer and then to snow on the 
ground. You can't get any deflection, except such as re- 
sults from filling the wire. There will be no escape. 

The line from Marquette to Sault Ste. Marie, Lake Su- 
perior, runs along the coast, over hills and through valleys 
in the forest. During summer, when the leaves are out, 
the line leaks badly from contact with the green leaves and 
shoots. It is always leaky. In the winter it is blown 
down, and, in spots, buried for weeks. It is in this con- 
dition in spots now. Yet I was at Marquette two weeks 
ago, and not a sign of escape in the wire. It was perfectly 
clear. 

To produce the maximum effect your instruments in cir- 
cuit should not exceed the resistance of the battery and line 
wire. If you use an induction machine (a magneto) the re- 
sistance of the coils and line wire would be very light, 
using No. 14 copper wire, and you could work long dis- 
tances with 56 ohm relays polarized. I have worked two 
50 ohm polarized relays with one of Kidder's magneto 
machines, costing $8.00, used for domestic medical uses. 

A magneto machine that a man could turn with a crank, 
and not weighing over 40 pounds, with a commutator to 
translate both currents in one direction, could be made 
for you that would do your work. Or, you could use a 
small Gramme machine, with a permanent magnet, as an 
excitant. 

The snow business is all right. Go ahead. If I can help 
you, say so. 

Yours, in haste, 

Ch. H. Haskins. 



U. S. Naval Observatory, 
Washington, D. C, January 25, 1877. 
My Dear Captain: You have asked me for my views 
in regard to the best methods of conducting Arctic explo- 
ration. I take great pleasure in complying with your 
request. 



I 8 

I am opposed to all spasmodic efforts to reach the Pole,, 
because the chances of success are not commensurate with 
the necessary outlay. There have been comparatively few 
well organized Polar expeditions, and all these have endeav- 
ored to effect their object in a single season by a spurt, as it 
were. They have gone at erratic intervals, knowing com- 
paratively nothing of the laws that govern the Arctic sea- 
sons; so that, so far as their knowledge of the meteorological 
and hydrographical conditions of the Polar regions was 
concerned, each of them stood an equal chance of success. 
Under these circumstances each expedition was justly re- 
garded as an experiment. The failures that attended them 
were, in a great measure, due to a blind haste to gain their 
objects. That eminent scientists should have considered 
the quite meagre results as an ample reward for the expen- 
diture of life and money, proves only the magnitude and 
extent of the scientific secrets which are locked up in the 
frozen North awaiting the intelligent and persistent ex- 
plorer. The only legacies that can be considered of absolute 
value which these expeditions have left to the world are 
the feats of heroism and endurance that send the enthusi- 
astic glow of admiration through the heart of humanity, the 
bloodless deeds of renown, and the immortal glory won, 
not by triumphs over fellow men, but by victories over 

nature in its most forbidding guise. 

******** 

A ship bearing reinforcements and supplies should, if 
possible, visit the colony each year. No one should be com- 
pelled to remain longer than one winter either on the ship* 
or at the station; and the commander should each year 
order home those whom experience has proved to be unser- 
viceable or uncompanionable. 

The band of explorers should spend each spring and au- 
tumn in making excursions in various directions and in pay- 
ing minute attention to the accurate survey and delineation 
of the country traversed. Dogs should be used for draught. 
They are the natural teams of the country; they require 
little food and no clothing; they need no shelter; they are 
fleet and strong; they will serve as food to a famishing party, 
and, moreover, they multiply so amazingly that, with proper 
precautions, the kennel need never be empty. The sleds 
should approximate in shape, size and material to those used 
by the Esquimaux. At least they should be fastened together 
by thongs of raw hide and should be shod with ivory. Es~ 



quimaux should be employed as dog drivers to accompany 
all sledge expeditions, both because they understand how to 
take care of dogs, how to build, quickly and well, snow- 
igloos (which are best suited for temporary shelter), and also 
because they know how to hunt, which is a very important 
consideration. Now, white men, with all their genius and 
skill, while able to do these things tolerably after consider- 
able practice, are totally unable while on a sledge journey to 
make themselves as comfortable as the Esquimaux, who, at 
the same time, need less food and clothing. Hence, the knowl- 
edge and aid of these hardy sons of the North should be in- 
voked. A man with ordinary tact and judgment can secure 
a willing service from these innocent and docile people. 

A continuous effort would also afford an opportunity to 
test men, and, in time, those qualified physically and men- 
tally for the peculiar service would be secured. A long res- 
idence at the station or on the ship — whether continuous or 
broken b} 7 returns home for recuperation — would give an 
experience in the modes of Arctic travel that would be val- 
uable indeed, and that would insure final success. Theser- 
vice would be eminently desirable, and each year hosts of 
volunteers would present themselves, from whom good men 
could be chosen. Under proper management scurvy would 
not appear, and if the quarters were comfortable and the 
food plentiful and of the right kind, the men could live as 
well and happily as in more southern latitudes. 

In order to preserve the health of the crew, special atten- 
tion should be paid to discipline. The men should not 
be required to expose themselves so as to become very 
cold or wet except under the most imperative necessity; 
neither should any unnecessary service, nor service of ques- 
tionable expediency, be forced from them. The great solici- 
tude of a commander of an Arctic expedition should be to 
keep up the spirits of his men, to banish all repinings and 
disquietude, and to promote their happiness and thorough 
content. Scurvy has no power over a man with a cheerful 
frame of mind if only he has the opportunity to provide 
suitably for the wants of his body. Exercise must be per- 
formed cheerfully and with the mind interested, to be of any 
service; enforced exercise rarely accomplishes the intended 
results. 

Land as a base of operations is essential for the best kind 



10 

of Polar effort, not only because thereby whatever ad- 
vance may be made can be held, but because the value of 
the observations will be increased if made at a permanent 
station. Many routes present this advantage, and I would 
not presume to say, absolutely, which would offer the few- 
est obstacles to an advance to the Pole. I trust that in a 
few years every possible route will be faithfully tried. 

But as an American and for an American expedition, I 
would unhesitatingly recommend the Smith's Sound route — 
the field in which Kane, Hayes and Hall won such renown — 
a field that still affords an opportunity to show the world 
what American pluck and enterprise can accomplish. It 
will be unnecessary to mention additional reasons for this 
preference. They will naturally present themselves to the 
Arctic student. 

The United States has the right to consider the Smith's 
Sound route as peculiarly its own, and no effort should be 
spared to carry on in that direction the work of her illustri- 
ous heroes, living and dead. Her history contains no 
brighter pages than those that record their courage and 
endurance. 

Your plan, so far as you have announced it, is so like 
mine that it seems almost unnecessary to say how heartily 
in symyathy I am with you in your efforts to organize a 
Polar expedition upon a sound basis. I trust that you will 
be very successful ; that Congress will determine to carry 
on the good work, and that you will be spared to share its 
triumphs. Polar research offers more rewards in the way of 
national glory and renown than any other similar enterprise. 

I am fully convinced that the flag of the United States 
can be planted upon the North Pole itself if the proper sup- 
port be given to those who have the patience and deter- 
mination to attempt and pursue the indicated plan. 

When the Arctic regions shall have thus been made 
known and the necessary scientific observations secured, 
then the attention of explorers might be directed to the 
South Pole, and under a corresponding system that vast and 
unknown Antarctic region will yield up its secrets, and man 
will at last "have dominion over all the earth," and prove 
his obedience by attempting to " subdue it." 

Very respectfully and sincerely yours, 

K* W. D. Bryan. 
To Capt. H. "W". Howgate, U. S. A., Washington, D. C. 



11 

(From Captain George E. Tyson, of the Polaris.) 

Washington, D. 0. 
Captain H. W. Howgate: 

Dear Sir: I was very agreeably surprised to see your 
letter, published some time ago in the New York papers, 
containing a proposition to Congress to appropriate money, 
ship and the necessary equipment for another expedition to 
endeavor to reach the North Pole, and I heartily concur 
with you in the plan therein suggested as the most practi- 
cable yet devised. It is a matter of no little surprise to 
me that there has not been more of an outpouring of 
American enthusiasm toward the achievement of the suc- 
cess of this great enterprise, and that, too, when we con- 
sider the magnitude and great importance of the work. It 
is unquestionably a noble effort, and the scientific societies 
of the country would do well to unite in memorializing 
Congress relative thereto. Now is the time, and if this 
Government fails this year, through a spirit of parsimonious 
economy, to appropriate the means necessary to the further- 
ance of this project, England or Germany will, in all proba- 
bility, secure the honor of this great achievement. 

George E. Tyson. 



(From Captain H. C. Chester, of the Polaris Expedition.) 

To the Editor of the New York Times : 

Having had some experience in Arctic exploration, and 
being familiar with its dangers and difficulties, my attention 
has been called to the letter of Captain Henry W. Howgate, 
published in the "Times" on the 26th of December. I beg 
to express my thorough approval of the plan submitted by 
Captain Howgate, as I believe it to be the only way by 
means of which the Pole can be reached. All future explora- 
tions tending to solve the mysteries of this extreme northern 
region will have to be prosecuted by means of gradual ad- 
vances made from some main depot. Exactly the same 
idea was entertained by Captain Hall. When we were at 
the furthest point of land, about 82° 8", in October, 1871, 
we looked at the so-called impenetrable sea of ice. Then it 
was moving ice and water. From its smoothness we felt 
very sure that when the colder weather set in we would 
have but little trouble traversing the channel in the spring. 



12 

We should have endeavored to have crossed Robeson's 
Straits, and would have tried to gain a point of land visible 
northwest of us, which land we called Cape Union, and 
which we calculated was some sixty miles distant. If Cap- 
tain Howgate's suggestions of establishing a party at or about 
Robeson's Channel, or to the west of it, is ever carried out, 1 
think these people would, by progressive stages, reach in time 
the much desired goal. As to the obstructions mentioned 
by Captain Nares, all I can state is that such impediments 
did not exist in my time. The reasons why I suppose they 
cannot be so formidable are founded in the following 
observations : When, in May and June of 1872, we lay with 
the boats and crew of the Polaris, twenty-five miles from the 
ship, on the floe ice, waiting for an opening in Robeson's 
Channel, in order to cross it, during four weeks' time the 
straits were blocked with ice, but this ice was all moving 
south. We found no opening for a month, and were una- 
ble to use our boats. This ice went southerly at the uniform 
rate of about one and a half miles an hour, and was never 
checked, save when the winds blew south or southwest. 
If, then, the strait was filled with ice moving southerly, such 
an impassable barrier of ice as Captain Nares speaks of must 
have been found at a point very much further north than 
the land designated by us as being Cape Union. I do not 
think there could have been much of an error as to the 
distance we supposed ourselves to be from this Cape Union, 
and the North Pole could not have been more than 420 
miles north of it. 

When Captain Hall and the writer undertook the fourteen- 
day sledge journey, when we worked our way along in the 
twilight, Captain Hall said to me, "I am satisfied that the 
only way to reach the Pole will be for us to carry our pro- 
visions across Robeson's Channel, to form a depot on the 
other side, and from thence take out parties. It is work we 
must lay out for ourselves this spring." I believe, had Cap- 
tain Hall lived, he would have carried forward the work j ust 
as Captain Howgate proposes ; that is, by establishing depots 
and making progressive stages. Captain Hall's untimely 
death, on the 8th of November, 1871, prevented his accom- 
plishing this design. I think, in order to prosecute the 
plan proposed by Captain Howgate, there would be no diffi- 
culty in procuring thirty men accustomed to Arctic travel, 
who would ultimately achieve success. As to fresh blood 
food, I am positive that, at least in the neighborhood of 



13 

Robeson's Channel, the musk ox can be found from May to 
October. I shot the first musk ox on the Polaris plane in 
81° 40" during the latter part of September. With the 
crew of the Polaris in the latitude of 82° we killed twenty- 
four musk oxen. I do not believe there would be any 
trouble in provisioning thirty men yearly with this fresh 
food. I therefore must freely indorse Captain Howgatc's 
views, and say with him, "Let an expedition be organized to 
start in the spring of 1877, and I firmly believe that in 1880 
the geography of the Polar circle would be definitely settled, 
and that without loss of life." 

H. C. Chester. 
Philadelphia, Saturday, December 30, 1876. 



(From Mr. Robert Seyboth, a member of Dr. Hayes' expedition.) 

Capt. H. W. Howgate : 
******** 

I have not the slightest doubt if a sufficient number of 
energetic men, well selected and officered, can acclimate 
themselves to the terrible severity of Arctic winters, the 
greatest difficulty in the way of the discovery of the Pole 
will have been overcome, for such a party and depot could 
be used as a base of operation from which to push forward, 
in favorable junctures of temperature and their accompany- 
ing condition, successive posts, each one to be permanently 
held until the next was established, and until some favoring 
season made the open Polar Sea a navigable reality. 

The great question to be answered in considering your 
scheme is the possibility of sustaining human life at such 
high latitudes for a sufficient length of time. I do not hesi- 
tate to answer this question in the affirmative. My own 
experience during a stay of nearly two } 7 ears within the 
Arctic circle, and with an expedition that possessed none of 
the comforts and safeguards usually provided for Arctic ex- 
plorers, warrant me to believe that a systematically con- 
ducted plan of colonization, such as you propose, would 
meet no insurmountable difficulties in the effort to sustain 
life and sufficient robustness to carry out the work of ex- 
ploration. Scurvy, the great enemy of former explorers, 
can be entirely avoided by adopting the proper hygienic 
precautions, as has been fully proved by the late Captain 
Hall, who spent several years in succession in company of 



14 

the Esquimaux, in perfect health and without assistance 
from the outside world. 

It is a noteworthy fact that American whalers, who fre- 
quently remain two or more successive winters in the Arc- 
tic regions, do not suffer from scurvy while wintering, but 
are almost invariably afflicted with the fell disease during 
the homeward voyage. Why ? Because they do not hesi- 
tate to eat plentifully of seal, walrus, bear and even whale 
meat, all of which is readily obtainable in the highest lati- 
tudes. To this diet I myself found no difficulty in becom- 
ing accustomed, and, consequently, did not suffer from 
scurvy until after the enforced resumption of " salt junk" on 
the homeward stretch. Granting, then, the possibility of 
colonization, I fully believe that the adoption of your scheme 
would strike at the root of former failures in Arctic explor- 
ations, for it substitutes the steady conquest, step by step, 
in place of the spasmodic and unsustained efforts hitherto 
made at the sacrifice of untold treasure and the loss of great 
and noble lives. 

Very respectfully, .Robert Seyboth. 



(Letter of the Secretary of the Navy.) 

Navy Department, Washington, February 2, 1877. 
Sir : In connection with House bill No. 4,339, now in 
your hands, and which provides for another Arctic expedition, 
I have to express a hearty interest therein and an earnest 
hope for the success of the plan. The successful sledge 
journey made by Captain Hall before his death, the concur- 
rent testimony as to a Polar sea open in some seasons, and all 
the details of evidence from the Polaris crew, seem to show 
that success is possible. Qualified officers, I doubt not, will 
gladly volunteer for such duties as may be assigned the 
navy in connection with such an expedition. I am con- 
vinced, however, that no expedition should be sent to this 
dangerous and distant region except under the sanction of 
the strictest military discipline. 

I have the honor to be, &c, 

Geo. M. Robeson, 

Secretary of the Navy. 
Hon. Benjamin A. Willis, 

Of the Committee on Naval Affairs, 

House of Representatives. 



15 

(Letter of President Joseph Henry, L. L. D.) 

Smithsonian Institution, Washington, 

January 31, 1877. 

Sir : Your letter of the 30th instant, asking my opinion 
as to the plan of Captain Howgate for explorations in the 
Arctic regions, and its utility in regard to scientific and com- 
mercial results, has been received, and I have the honor to 
give you the following reply : 

From my connection with the Smithsonian Institution 
and the National Academy of Sciences, I am, of course, in- 
terested in every proposition which has for its object the ex- 
tension of scientific knowledge, and, therefore, I am predis- 
posed to advocate any rational plan for exploration and con- 
tinued observations within the Arctic circle. 

Much labor has been expended on this subject, especially 
with a view to reach the Pole ; yet many problems con- 
nected with physical geography and science in general re- 
main unsolved. 

1. With regard to a better determination of the figure of 
the earth, pendulum experiments are required in the region 
in question. 

2. The magnetism of the earth requires for its better elu- 
cidation a larger number and more continued observations 
than have yet been made. 

3. To complete our knowledge of the tides of the ocean, 
a series of observations should be made for at least an entire 
year. 

4. For completing our knowledge of the winds of the 
globe, the results of a larger series of observations than 
those we now possess are necessary, and also additional ob- 
servations on temperature. 

5. The whole field of natural history could be enriched 
by collections in the line of botany, mineralogy, geology, 
&c, and facts of interest obtained with regard to the influ- 
ence of extreme cold on animal and vegetable life. 

All of the above mentioned branches of science are indi- 
rectly connected with the well being of man, and tend not 
only to enlarge his sphere of mental pleasures, but to pro- 
mote the application of science to the arts of life. 

As to the special plan of Captain Howgate, that of estab- 
lishing a colony of explorers and observers, to be continued 
for several years, I think favorably. 

The observations which have previously been made in the 
Arctic regions have usually been of a fragmentary character, 



16 

and not sufficient in any one case to establish the changes 
of the observed phenomena during an entire year, whereas 
to obtain even an approximation to the general law of 
changes a number of years are required. 

It may be proper to state, in behalf of the National Acad- 
emy of Sciences, that should Congress make the necessary ap- 
propriation for this enterprise, the Academy will cheerfully 
give a series of directions as to the details of the investiga- 
tions to be made, and the best methods to be employed. 
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 

Joseph Henry, 
Secretary Smithsonian Institution, 
President National Academy of Sciences. 
Hon. Benj. A. Willis, 

House of Representatives. 



(Letter of Admiral David D. Porter.) 

Washington, D. C, January 31, 1877. 

Sir : I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of your note 
of January 30, with accompanying pamphlet, in relation to 
Polar colonization and exploration. 

I have examined the pamphlet with the care that the im- 
portance of the subject demands. 

I have always been an advocate for Arctic exploration, in 
whatever form it might be undertaken, and I think there 
would be no greater difficulty in carrying out an enterprise 
in the manner you propose than there would be in a ship. 
In fact, if an expedition was properly fitted out in the first 
instance, and landed in good condition at the point proposed 
as headquarters, it would be less hampered if the ship should 
return home until wanted with supplies. 

In my opinion, there is an open sea for two hundred miles 
toward the Pole; that there are high mountains, from which 
are precipitated the icebergs which lately blocked up Robe- 
son's Channel, and that had Markham's farthest point been 
exceeded by sixty miles the pack, would have been passed 
and open water reached again. 

Every few years we must expect just such a pack as Cap- 
tain Nares encountered, which will probably last for a year 
or two, and will then break up. 



17 

If, at the moment of breaking up, men and boats are in 
readiness to take advantage of the opportunity, a great ad- 
vance could be made toward the Pole. 

There are no greater hardships to be encountered as high 
as 83° than have heretofore been surmounted by the intrepid 
explorers of the Arctic regions, and when we reflect that a 
party from the Polaris drifted eighteen hundred miles on a 
cake of ice, and that an infant and its mother were all that 
time exposed to the inclemencies of the Arctic regions, we 
ought to have no doubts about a company of strong, active 
men, well provided with everything necessary to make life 
endurable in that desolate region. 

Certainly no weather can be more severe than that encoun- 
tered by the officers and men of the Alert and Discovery, 
who experienced a temperature of 100° below the freezing 
point. It would seem that there are actually no drawbacks 
in the way of weather which have not been encountered be- 
fore, and we are able to make every preparation to meet 
the difficulties in our way. 

It becomes now simply a question of hardy men with brave 
hearts and cheerful dispositions, provided with an ample 
stock of the best provisions, and with means of amusement 
to make the winter nights pass as speedily as possible. The 
greatest difficulty will be to keep up the spirits of the men, 
and this matter should be very seriously considered in select- 
ing the individuals for an expedition of this kind. Nostalgia 
is the great enemy you would have to fear ; and if every 
man should be obliged to understand some mechanical pur- 
suit which he could follow when the party was laid up for 
the winter, it would go far toward bringing about a success- 
ful issue. 

In the event of such an expedition as you propose, I see a 
fine opportunity of utilizing the electric telegraph. Wires 
could be laid along on the ground or ice without much dan- 
ger of their being carried off by bears or foxes. 

I am no believer in a northwest passage for any practical 
purposes, but I do believe that there are a number of scien- 
tific subjects that can be better demonstrated at the North 
Pole than anywhere else, and I think we owe it to ourselves 
to know all about a matter which has hitherto remained in 
comparative obscurity. 

In establishing your colony I would particularly suggesl 
that a number of houses be erected and somewhat separated. 
That of itself would tend to create a diversion by causing 



18 

the men to visit each other frequently. It would be well, 
however, to have one central depot under the eye of the 
commanding officer, where the command could be assem- 
bled as occasion might require. These houses could be 
made in sections and put up at the end of the voyage. They 
should be lined with thick felt, and would be very com- 
fortable. 

In connection with the proposed expedition, I recommend 
a combination of sledge and boat, somewhat after the plan 
of the gutta-percha or kerite-rubber life-rafts used in the 
Navy. They could be made very light for carrying packs, 
and when forced to take the water could be navigated with 
safety. If such appliances had been more used in Arctic 
explorations many lives might have been saved. 

In conclusion, permit me to say that I can see no objec- 
tion whatever to your plan, and hope you may meet with 
the success your energy deserves. 
Very respectfully, yours, 

David D. Porter, Admiral. 
Capt. H. W. Howgate, U. S. A., 

Signal Office, Washington, D. C. 



(Letter of Rear-Admiral Charles H. Davis.) 

Naval Observatory, 
Washington, D. C, January 31, 1877. 

Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your 
communication of the 30th instant, and to say in reply, that 
the plan for Arctic exploration proposed by Captain How- 
gate, United States Signal Corps, meets my entire concur- 
rence and approval. 

The general principles laid down by Captain Howgate for 
the conduct of future Arctic expeditions seem to be univer 
sally adopted. These principles originated in the recent ex- 
pedition under Captain Hall. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

C. H. Davis, 
Rear-Admira I, Superin ten dent. 
Hon. Benj. A. Willis, 

Chairman Sub-committee on Naval Affairs, 
House of Representatives. 



19 

(Letter of Dr. Isaac I. Hayes, Arctic Explorer.) 

State of New York, Assembly Chamber, 

Albany, February 12, 1877. 

My Dear Sir : I am glad to see }'ou are getting on so 
well with your proposed expedition, and that the matter is 
in such good hands. You can, of course, always rely upon 
me for any assistance in my power. I think your scheme 
feasible, and trust sincerely that you will obtain the neces- 
sary appropriation. Your general plan is a good one, and 
how fully I am in accord with it you may judge from a 
paper read by me before the Geographical Society in New 
York, November 12, 1868, from which I extract the 
following : 

"My views in this respect are in no way changed, but 
rather they are confirmed by events. I give this simple 
enumeration of its advantages: 1st. Land as a base of oper- 
ation ; 2d. The opportunity to colonize a party of hunters 
and natives, as a permanent support. A glance at the map 
will show you how important is the first of these elements ; 
the second requires a further explanation. The colony was 
indeed the key to the plan which I had proposed for 1862. 
Had I been able to return that year, I would have started 
with two vessels, one a small steamer, the other a sailing 
vessel as a store ship. Pushing through the middle ice of 
Baffin Bay, I would have steered for Port Foulke, my old 
winter harbor, at the mouth of Smith Sound. Here I 
would have secured the auxiliary vessel, and, remaining only 
a sufficient length of time to see the natives gathered 
together and the wheels of my little colony set in motion, I 
would have sought the west coast of Smith Sound with the 
steamer, and through the land-leads have worked my way 
to the Polar water. Failing to accomplish this the first 
season, I would have secured a harbor for the winter, and 
pushed on the work as opportunity offered. Failing alto- 
gether, (in the event of finding the ice too closely impacted 
at the head of Smith Sound to admit of a passage,) I would 
still have secured my object, for, with a provision depot now 
within six hundred miles of the Pole, with the colony at my 
back, and in the winter readily accessible, with dogs breed- 
ing there, and with furs and provisions accumulating, I 
would have overcome the obstacles which embarrassed me 
in 1860 and 1861, and which had embarrassed Dr. Kane 
before me. Once in this favorable situation I would have 
brought up my available strength from the colony, and in 



20 

the early spring, put out depots of provisions along the line 
of Grinnel Land, and following them up by a boat mounted on 
runners, I would then have sought the open water and the 
Pole. Such was my plan seven years ago. It is my plan 
to-day. I believe it reasonable, and experience convinces 
me that it is practicable. I even believe that the chances 
are greatly in favor of the success of the first part of the 
scheme ; that is to say, that the ice belt can be penetrated 
with the steamer, the open sea navigated, and Behring 
Strait and the Pacific Ocean reached." 

If you care to follow up the subject so far as my views are 
concerned, you will find them fully expressed in the Journal 
of the Geographical Society for 1869, volume 2, part 2. I 
think it will be evident to you that the great feature of my 
plan was that the colony at Port Foulke would be always 
accessible from home every summer, with as much certainty 
as any port in the world. Besides, it is one of the most pro- 
lific centers of animal life in all that region. Reindeer are 
numerous in its vicinity, my party capturing upward of 
two hundred during our ten months' stay in our winter 
quarters. During the summer, the air was teeming with 
bird life, and the sea was alive with walrus and seal. Bears 
and foxes were also numerous. Your extensive reading 
upon the subject of Arctic exploration will have shown you 
that men will not long endure the Arctic climate. Even 
Sir Edward Parry, the greatest of all Arctic navigators, 
found himself obliged to return home after two winters, 
mainly because of the disturbed morale of his men. The 
long continued darkness of the winter, the entire depriva- 
tion of society, and the universal cheerlessness have a sin- 
gularly depressing influence upon the mind, and you will 
therefore at once perceive the value of establishing a station 
where annual intercourse can be had with home, whence 
the sick and weary can be sent away, and new recruits 
brought into the field. 

With Port Foulke as a principal station, and other points 
subordinate to it established on the coast of Grinnell Land, 
up to Lady Franklin Bay and beyond, I think success would 
be assured in the course of three or four years. In any 
case, a vast amount of scientific information would be ob- 
tained at little cost and little risk to life. 

"Wishing you every success in your praiseworthy endeavor, 
believe me, very truly, yours, 

I. I. Hayes. 
Capt. H. W. Howgate, Washington, D. C. 



21 

Letter from Rev. Eliphalet Nott Potter, D. D., President of Union College.) 

Union College, Schenectady, New York, 

February 15, 1877. 
My Dear Mr. "Willis : * * * I have not noticed 
whether the bill for Arctic exploration has yet been re- 
ported ; if not, as I understand it to be in your hands, permit 
me to say, for n^self and the faculty, that we regard the 
measure with great solicitude, and hope much from its be- 
coming a law. In the naturally intense interest which you 
feel in the presidential national question, don't fail to re- 
member and to press this measure of importance to science 
and the welfare of the world. 

It will be a proud thing for the practical genius of 
America to carry out the only feasible approach to the solu- 
tion of a question, costing only a useless outlay of life and 
treasure so long as the end is pursued by the old method. 
In haste, and sincerely, yours, 

E. N. Potter. 



(Letter of Dr. John Rae, Arctic Explorer.) 

2 Addison Gardens, 

Kensington, 23d! February, 1877. 
Dear Sir : I beg to thank you for the pamphlet you 
have so kindly sent me through our Geographical Society, 
giving your plan of an Arctic expedition, or a series of them, 
via. Smith Sound, a specially American route, by which I 
think there is much yet to be done. 

Your plan I think an admirable one, and I do trust your 
Government will take it up in a liberal spirit, and that 
suitable men will volunteer for the rough but most attrac- 
tive work. 

Having heard of your plan before I received your pam- 
phlet, I yesterday sent off by post a long list of suggestions 
(founded upon my own Arctic experience and life in the 
Hudson's Bay Territories,) to the President of the Geo- 
graphical Society, New York, with a hope that one or two 
•of them might be useful. 

Wishing you every success, believe me faithfully yours, 

John Rae. 

Oaptain Howgate. 



22 
ACTION OF SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATIONS. 



(Action of Maryland Academy of Science.) 

The following resolutions were unanimously adopted by 
the Maryland Academy of Science on Monday, February 
19, 1877. 

Whereas, This Academy has for its object the encourage- 
ment of science, whether abstract or applied ; and 

Whereas, There is now pending before Congress a bill 
to authorize and equip an expedition to the' Arctic seas; 
and 

Whereas, This Academy has been informed of the means 
to be adopted by and of the results which are expected 
from the expedition ; 

Therefore be it Resolved, That we cordially approve of the 
plan proposed, believing, as we do, that it is the one best 
calculated to lead to successful results, not in abstract scien- 
tific knowledge alone, but also in such scientific knowledge- 
as will be readily utilized for the benefit of commerce. 

Resolved, That we earnestly and respectfully urge upon 
Congress the passage of the bill. 

Resolved, That the Secretary be directed to forward a copy 
of these resolutions to our Senators and Representatives in 
Congress, and request the careful consideration of the bill. 



(Action of Franklin Institute.) 

Hall of the Franklin Institute, 

Philadelphia, February 26th, 1877. 
The following preamble and resolution was adopted at a 
meeting of the Franklin Institute, held February 21st, 1877: 
Whereas, A bill is at present pending before Congress 
asking aid for carrying into execution the scheme of Capt. 
H. W. Howgate, of the Signal Service, for reaching and ex- 
ploring the region about the North Pole on the plan of col- 
onization : 

Resolved, That the Franklin Institute approve of this 
plan, not only for its economy, but for its efficient practi- 
cability, and believe it to be the most feasible plan yet 
offered. 

J. D. Knight, Secretary. 

On motion, the Secretary was directed to transmit a copy 
of the above preamble and resolution to Congress. 

[Presented in Senate March 2, 1877, and referred to Committee on Mili- 
tary Affairs:] 



23 

(Action of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History.) 

To the Senators and Members of the Forty-fourth Con- 
gress : 

The Cincinnati Society of Natural History respectfully 
represents to the honorable Senators and Members of the 
Forty-fourth Congress the importance of further and more 
successful Arctie exploration. In all the various branches 
of science are found important problems which can be 
definitely settled in the Polar regions only. The geog- 
raphy of that region is undecided. Hydrography and 
meteorology, two branches of science in which the United 
States are already pre-eminent, and a more complete and 
thorough knowledge of which is imperatively demanded by 
the ever enlarging interests of science, and of commerce, 
can no where be definitely settled but in the Arctic Zone. 
The laws of gravity are still uucertain, and can be decided 
only in the vicinity of the North Pole. Mineralogy, geology 
and all the branches of natural history still largely depend 
upon a thorough exploration of the Polar regions. 

This society, therefore, in the interest of science and for 
the honor of our couutr} 7 , respectfully recommends favor- 
able legislation on the subject of Polar exploration, and 
convinced that colonization is the most practicable way of 
conducting an expedition of this nature, recommends the 
passage of the bill to authorize and equip an expedition to 
the Arctic seas, now in the hands of the Committee on 
Naval Affairs. 

The above memorial was unanimously adopted at a full 
meeting of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History, held 
Tuesday evening, February 6, 1877. 

J. F. Judge, 
Recording Secretary. 

[Presented in House of Representatives February 10, 1877, and referred 
to Committee on Naval Affairs.] 



(Action of Fortnightly Club of Milwaukee.) 

Whereas, A bill has been introduced into Congress ap- 
propriating funds to aid and maintain a scientific expedition 
in the northern Polar regions; and 

Whereas, The plan which is proposed to carry into effect 
in such expedition, namely, that of establishing a tempo- 
rary colony consisting of a few tried and experienced men 



24 

who possess all the necessary requisites to insure success of 
such expedition, seems to us the one most feasible after 
due consideration of the history of former expeditions 
which have been dispatched by the Government of the 
United States; therefore, be it 

Resolved, That we respectfully request the earnest atten- 
tion and support by our Senators and Representatives in 
Congress of the plan of Captain H. W. Howgate, of the 
United States Signal Service, as one which is in our judg- 
ement worthy of a trial and support by the Government. 

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Fortnightly Club be 
instructed to forward to our Senators and Representatives a 
copy of the foregoing preamble and resolutions. 

The above preamble and resolutions were presented at a 
meeting of the Fortnightly Club, of Milwaukee, Wiscon- 
sin, January 20, 1877, and unanimously passed. 

"William W. Wight, 

Secretary Fortnightly Club. 



ACTION OF COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATIONS. 



(Action of the Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce.) 

Chamber of Commerce, Milwaukee, January 13, 1877. 

Whereas, This Chamber is desirous of expressing its in- 
terests in and good will toward all measures calculated to 
forward and extend scientific explorations and experiments 
which may have even an indirect bearing upon such subject; 
therefore, be it 

Resolved, That we cordially approve of the proposed 
appropriation of $50,000 by the General Government to aid 
in the establishment of a temporary colony, for the purpose 
of exploration and scientific research, at or near the eighty- 
first degree of north latitude, under the direction of the 
President of the United States and with the advice and 
counsel of the National Academy of Science, to carry into 
effect such detailed observations in the sciences of meteor- 
ology, botany, geology and climatology, together with the 
perfecting of the geography of unknown regions extending 
to the North Pole, as may increase the sum of human 
knowledge, redound to the credit of the United States 



25 

and sustain the reputation and honor of our country already 
won through the labors of De Haven, Kane, Hayes, Hall and 
other eminent explorers in the northern Polar seas. 

Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed to transmit to 
our Senators and Representatives in Congress a copy of the 
foregoing preamble and resolutions, and to respectfully 
request their careful consideration of the same. 

The foregoing preamble and resolutions were introduced 
at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of Milwaukee, 
January 13, 1877, and unanimously adopted. 

[seal.] 1ST. Vankirk, President, 

W. J. Langson, Secretary. 

[Presented in House of Representatives January 20, 1877, and referred to 
Committee on Appropriations. 

Presented in Senate January 26, 1877, and referred to Committee on Ap- 
propriations.] 



(Action of the Indianapolis Board of Trade.) 

Board of Trade, Indianapolis, January 23, 1877. 

Whereas, There is now pending before Congress a bill 
introduced by General Hunter, of Indiana, appropriating the 
sum of $50,000 to aid in the establishment of a temporary 
colony for the purpose of exploration and scientific research 
at some point near the eighty-first degree of north latitude, 
under the direction of the President of the United States, 
and to carry into effect such detailed observations in the 
sciences, together with the perfecting of the geography of 
unknown regions extending to the North Pole as may in- 
crease the sum of human knowledge and redound to the 
honor of our country; therefore, be it 

Resolved, That this Board of Trade favors the passage of 
the bill, and that the Secretary transmit to our Senators 
and Representatives in Congress a copy of these proceedings. 



(Action of Detroit Board of Trade.) 

Board of Trade Rooms, 
Detroit, Mich., February 2, 1877. 
Whereas, This Board is desirous of expressing its interest 
in and good will toward all measures calculated to forward 
and extend scientific explorations and experiments which 
may have even an indirect bearing upon commerce and navi- 
gation ; therefore, be it 



Resolved, That we cordially approve of the proposed ap- 
propriation of $50,000 by the General Government to aid in 
the establishment of a temporary colony for the purpose of 
exploration and scientific research at or near the eighty-first 
degree of North latitude, under the direction of the Presi- 
dent of the United States, and with the advice and consent 
of the National Academy of Science, to carry into effect such 
detailed observations in the science of meteorology, botany, 
geology and climatology, together with the perfecting of the 
geography of unknown regions extending to the North Pole, 
as may increase the sum of human knowledge, redound to 
the credit of the United States and sustain the reputation 
and honor of our country already won through the labors 
of De Haven, Kane, Hayes, Hall and other eminent explor- 
ers in the Northern Polar seas. 

Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed to transmit to 
our Senators and Representatives in Congress a copy of the 
foregoing preamble and resolution, and to respectfully re- 
quest their careful consideration of the same. 



(Action of Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce.) 

Cincinnati, February 2, 1877. 

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United States in Congress assembled : 

Whereas, The Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, whose 
province relates specially to commerce and trade, is assured 
that the security and extension of the commerce of the world 
depends largely upon accurate information respecting the 
physics of the globe, and that most of such information 
already acquired has been facilitated by observations made 
within the Arctic regions, and that the benefits accruing, 
directly and indirectly, to the commerce of the world from 
Polar explorations are more than equal to the money ex- 
pended in such explorations ; therefore, be it 

Resolved, That we, in the interest of science, as well as in 
behalf of commerce and trade, mutually and inseparably 
linked together, heartily approve and respectfully urge the 
passage of the bill providing for another and eminently prac- 
ticable expedition toward the North Pole for the purpose of 
exploration and the establishment of a colony at some point 
north of the 81° of north latitude. 



27 

Resolved, That we heartily approve an appropriation of 
$50,000 by the General Government for this purpose. 

Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing preamble and reso- 
lutions be transmitted to our Senators and Representatives 
in Congress. 

B. Eggleston, President, 
Brent Arnold, Secretary. 

[Presented in Senate February 6, 1877, and referred to Committee on Ap- 
propriations. 

Presented in House of Representatives February 6, 1877, and referred to 
Committee on Naval Affairs.] 



(Action of St. Louis Cotton Exchange.) 

St. Louis, February 5, 1877. 
Whereas, There is now pending before Congress a bill in- 
troduced by General Hunter, of Indiana, appropriating the 
sum of $50,000 to aid in the establishment of a temporary 
colony for the purpose of exploration and scientific research 
at some point near the 81° of north latitude, under the di- 
rection of the President of the United States, and to carry 
into effect such detailed observations in the sciences as may 
increase the sum of human knowledge and redound to the 
honor of our country ; therefore, be it 

Resolved, That this Cotton Exchange favors the passage 
of the bill, and that the Secretary transmit to our Senators 
and Representatives in Congress a copy of these proceed- 
ings. 



(Action of Baltimore Corn and Flour Exchange.) 

To the Honorable Senators and House of Representatives 
of the United States in Congress assembled: 

Whereas, It appears that an expedition to the Arctic re- 
gions is proposed upon a plan which seems to promise a 
fair hope of a successful issue, at a cost quite out of propor- 
tion to the value of the least probable result ; and, 

Whereas, It is desirable that no efforts should be spared 
to determine questions in connection with the physical con- 
dition of the earth in the interests of commerce, agriculture 
and science ; therefore, be it 

Resolved, That we, the undersigned members of the 
Baltimore Corn and Flour Exchange, heartily approve of 



28 

the scheme initiated by Captain H. W. Howgate now pen- 
ding before Congress, and respectfully suggest that the bill 
now pending be passed with the appropriation of $50,000 
to defray the cost of the expedition. 

Thos. W. Leving & Sons, 
Barker & Gwathmet, 
Saml. Townsend & Son, 
E. D. Bigelow & Co., 

And others. 

[Presented in House of Representatives February 1, 1876, and referred to 
Committee on Naval Affairs.] 



(Action of the Baltimore Merchants' Exchange.) 

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United States in Congress assembled : 

Whereas, It appears that an expedition to the Arctic 
regions is proposed upon a plan which seems to promise 
a fair hope of a successful issue, at a cost quite out of pro- 
portion to the value of the least probable result ; 

And, ivhereas, It is desirable that no efforts should be 
spared to determine questions in connection with the physi- 
cal condition of the earth in the interest of commerce, agri- 
culture, and science : therefore, 

Be it resolved, That we, the members of the Baltimore 
Merchants' Exchange, heartily approve of the scheme in- 
dicted by Captain H. W. Howgate, now before Congress, 
and respectfully suggest that the bill now pending be 
passed, with the appropriation of $50,000 to defray the cost 
of the expedition. 

Baltimore, February 7, 1877. 

Jas. Carey Coale, 
James Brickhead, . 
H. O. Haughton, 
And others. 

[Presented in House of Representatives February 1, 1877, and referred to 
Committee on Naval Affairs.] 



(Action of the New Haven Chamber of Commerce.) 

New Haven, February 9, 1877. 
Whereas, The New Haven Chamber of Commerce, in com- 
mon with so many similar boards in the United States, feel- 



29 

ing a deep interest in the Polar explorations already made 
by our own countrymen, as also by those of other nations, 
believe that the plan of Captain Howgate for the locating of 
a colony far northward in the Arctic regions is the most 
feasible of any heretofore projected for the successful ex- 
ploration of these regions and for the discovery of the North 
Pole, so long the ambition of so many expeditions ; there- 
fore, 

Resolved, That this Chamber heartily approve of Captain 
Howgate's plan, and, therefore, of the proposed appropriation 
of $50,000 by the General Government in aid of the expedition. 

Resolved, That the President and Secretary be instructed 
to transmit a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolution 
to our Senators and Representatives in Congress. 

[Presented in Senate Februai'y 13, 1877, and referred to Committee on 
Commerce.] 



(Action of New York Merchants.) 

New York, February 17, 1877. 

To the Honorable Senators and Representatives in 
Congress assembled : 

The undersigned, feeling a deep interest in the Polar 
Explorations already made by our own countrymen, as 
also by those of other nations, believe that the plan of Cap- 
tain Howgate for the locating of a colony, far northward in 
the Arctic regions, is the most feasible of any heretofore 
projected for the successful explorations of these regions 
and for the discovery of the North Pole, do approve of the 
bill now pending before Congress appropriating $50,000 
for the establishment of the colony, and respectfully urge 
the passage of the bill. 

John H. Boynton, Boyd & Hincken, James W. Elwell & 
Co.,Benj. F. Metcalf, John Zittlosen, James E. Ward & Co., 
Gerhard & Brewer, Benham & Boysen, John Norton, Jr., & 
Son, John D. Jones, J. P. Paulison, Thomas Hale, Arthur 
Leary, Ellwood Walter, Alfred Ogden, Ferdinand Stagg, 
Daniel Drake Smith, A. A. Low & Bros., Charles H. Mar- 
shall & Co., Grinnell, Minturn & Co., Nath. L. & Geo. 
Griswold, Thomas Dunham's Nephew & Co., Snow & Bur- 
gess, Thomas J. Owen & Son, Rowland & Aspinwall, Law- 
rence, Giles & Co., R. W. Cameron & Co., George Wilson, 
C. H. Mallory & Co., Youngs, Smith & Co., Jonas Smith & 



30 

Co., Johnson & Higgins, John D. Fish & Co., J. H. "Win- 
chester & Co., Lunt Brothers, Salter & Livermore, Floyd & 
Newins, Geo. W. Rosevelt, J. F. Ames, ¥m. B. Hilton, 
¥m, A. Freeborn & Co., Smith W. Anderson, Bucknam & 
Co., John C. Smith, Perry Chubb, E. Sanchez y Dolz, 
Geo. W. Brown, Stephen H. Mills, F. Wight & Co., Baxter 
& McYoy, Philip J. Kiernan, Wm. B. Smyth, Fred. C. 
Schmidt, Thomas Norton & Co., A. K. Hadley, Theodore 
G. Case, Wm. L. Snyder, D. A. Hulett, Miles Beach, 
Robert Lyon, Jr., Edward T. Bartlett, J. W. Huntley, 
Francis H. Smith, Potter & Robertson, George W. Bow, L. 
H. Rogers & Co., Theodore Weston, Alfred Wagstaff, Jr., 
Abram C. Wood, John D. Vermeule, Henry Hentz & Co., 
Robert Dillon, J. Yeoman, Calvocoressi & Rodocanachi, 
James F. Wenman & Co., E. K. Powers, James S. Bean, 
Andrew G. Myers, J. B. Blanchard, J. H. Cheever, J. F. 
Fiske, Burkhalter, Masten & Co., W. H. Stanford, H. A. 
Howe, Wm. R. Crowell, B. F. Walcott, Levi P. Morton, 
and many others. 

[Presented in Senate February 23, 1877.] 



(Action of the Philadelphia Board of Trade.) 

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representa- 
tives of the United States the following memorial respect- 
fully sheweth: 

That at a meeting of the Philadelphia Board of Trade, on 
February 19th, 1877, it was 

Resolved, That the project for the establishment, under 
the authority of the President of the United States, of a 
temporary colony for the purposes of scientific exploration, 
at some point north of the eighty-first degree of north lati- 
tude, meets with the approval of the Board; and that the 
sum of $50,000 asked of Congress for the execution of this 
design will be well repaid by an increase of scientific knowl- 
edge that will materially promote the welfare of mankind 
and the honor of our country. 

The Philadelphia Board of Trade respectfully solicits your 
favorable consideration of the above, and will ever pray, &c. 

[Presented in Senate February 23, 1877, and referred to Committee on 
Naval Affairs.] 

Presented in House of Representatives February 24, 1877, and referred to 
Committee on Foreign Affairs.] 



31 

(Action of Nashville Cotton Exchange.) 

Nashville Cotton Exchange, February 23, 1877. 

Whereas, There is now pending before Congress a bill 
appropriating the sum of $50,000 to aid in the establish- 
ment of a colony in the Arctic regions for the purpose of 
scientific research and exploration, and 

Whereas, This Cotton Exchange, in common with similar 
■organizations throughout the country, and feeling that com- 
merce and trade march hand in hand with science, and that 
such exploration and research would increase the sum of 
human knowledge and redound to the nation's honor; 
therefore, be it 

JResolved, That this Cotton Exchange favors the passage 
by Congress of this bill, and that the Secretary transmit to 
our Senators and Representatives in Congress a copy of 
these proceedings. 



(Action of Cleveland Board of Trade.) 

Board or Trade Room, Cleveland, Ohio, 

February 23, 1877. 

Wliereas, There is now pending before Congress a bill in- 
troduced by Gen. Hunter, of Indiana, appropriating the sum 
of $50,000 to aid in the establishment of a temporary colony 
for the purpose of exploration and scientific research at 
some point near the 81st degree of north latitude under the 
direction of the President of the United States, and to carry 
into effect such detailed observations in the sciences, to- 
gether with the perfecting of the geography of unknown 
regions extending to the North Pole, as may increase the 
sum of human knowledge and redound to the honor of our 
country ; therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Cleveland Board of Trade cordially 
favors the proposition and appropriation, and urges the pas- 
sage of the bill, and that the Secretary be directed to send 
a copy ot these proceedings to our Senators and Representa- 
tives in Congress. 



Boston, Mass., February 23, 1877. 
To the Honorable Senators and Representatives in Con- 
gress assembled : 

The undersigned, feeling a deep interest in the polar ex- 



32 

plorations already made by our own countrymen, as also by 
those of other nations, believe that the plan of Captain 
Howgate for the locating of a colony far northward in the 
Arctic regions is the most feasible of any heretofore pro- 
jected for the successful explorations of these regions and 
for the discovery of the North Pole, do approve of the bill 
now pending before Congress appropriating $50,000 for the 
establishment of the colony, and respectfully urge the pass- 
age of the bill. 

Alex. H. Rice, Gov. of Mass., Fred. 0. Prince, Mayor of 
Boston, Jas. A. Dupee, Fred. Amory, Thomas Lamb, J. W. 
Brooks, Daniel Doherty, Addison, Gage & Co., Thaxter & 
Sons, Benj. F. Tyler, W. W. Russell, Jacob Hittinger, 
Jacob A. Seitz, Dr. C. C. Folsom, Dr. Samuel H. Durgin, 
and many others. 

(Action of Wilmington Merchants.) 

Wilmington, February 26, 1877. 

To the Honorable Senators and Representatives in Con- 
gress assembled : 

The undersigned, feeling a deep interest in the Polar Ex- 
peditions already made by our own countrymen as also 
those of other nations, believe that the plan of Captain How- 
gate for the location of a colony far northward in the Arctic 
regions is the most feasible of any heretofore projected for 
the exploration of those regions and for the discovery of the 
North Pole, do approve of the bill now pending before Con- 
gress, appropriating $50,000 for the establishment of the 
colony, and respectfully urge the passage of the bill. 

De Rosset & Co., Alex. Sprunt & Son, Harriss k, Howell, 
R. E. Heide, Edw. Kidder & Sons, B. F. Mitchell & Son, 
Lemmerman & Coney, Cassidey & Ross, T. C. De Rosset, 
Adrian & Vollers, Wright & Steclman, T. B. Kingsbury, B. 

B. Moore, (Hist. Soc'y,) Jno. L. Boatwright, J. J. Conoley, 

C. H. Robinson, Vick & Mebane, E. Peschau & Westerman, 
Kerchner & CalderBros., John S. Cantwell, Donald MacRae, 
H. B. Eilers, Hall & Pearson, C. W. Harriss, Ed. Journal, Sol. 
Bear & Bros., H. Nutt, Williams & Murchison, John Wilder 
Atkinson, H. Q. Johnson, I. B. Grainger, Jos. T. Jamer, 
J. K. Brown, James & Brown, A. Empie, C. D. Myers & 
Co., Wm. J. Biihman, P. Heinsberger, Geo. G. Barker & 
Co., G. D. Bernheim, Prest. Hist, and Scientific Society. 

[Presented in House of Representatives February 27, 1877, and referred to 
Committee on Naval Affairs.] 



33 

Nashville, Tenn., February 27, 1877. 

To the Honorable Senators and Representatives in Con- 
gress assembled: 

The undersigned, feeling a deep interest in the Polar ex- 
plorations already made by our own countrymen, as also by 
those of other nations, believe that the plan of Captain 
Howgate for the locating of a colony far northward in the 
Arctic regions is the most feasible of any heretofore pro- 
jected for the successful explorations of these regions and 
for the discovery of the North Pole, do approve of the bill 
now pending before Congress appropriating §50,000 for the 
establishment of the colony, and respectfully urge the pass- 
age of the bill. James D. Porter, Governor of Tennessee; 
James M. Safford, J. D. Plunkett, M. D., J. B. Lindsley, 
M.D., E. D. Hicks, M. Burns, J. B. Nowlin, M. D.,D. R. 
Johnson, John Lunsden, Jos. Fisher and many others. 

[Presented in Senate March 14, 1877.] 



(Action of Merchants' Exchange, Baltimore.) 

The Merchants' Exchange of Baltimore City, fully alive to 
the advantages to be derived from the development of Cap- 
tain Howgate's scheme, for a further attempt to discover or, 
if unsuccessful, to at least familiarize the world with the cir- 
cumstances and surroundings of the North Pole, fully en- 
dorse his plans known as the " Colonization Scheme," and 
heartily approve the adoption of General Hunter's bill, ap- 
propriating the sum of $50,000 in aid of the expedition. 

Baltimore, 17th April, 1877. 

Jas. Carey Coale, President, 
H. O. Haughton, Secretary. 



34 

(From the New York Herald, May 20, 1877.) 

THE POLAR COLONY. 



Another letter on Captain Howgate's plan, from the ac- 
complished Arctic explorer, Julius Payer, will be found in 
our columns to-day. It is a thoughtful contribution to the 
comprehensive study of this scheme of discovery, which 
seems to grow in favor with the writers on the subject in 
proportion as it is considered, either in the light of argu- 
ments in its favor or those against it; for it bids fair to be 
conceded that there is no objection to it that does not 
equally apply to a nautical expedition compelled to winter 
in the Arctic regions, while there appear to be several 
points of great importance in which it has a decided ad- 
vantage over such expeditions. Our readers will find many 
objections fairly stated in the communication to which we 
refer, and we do not believe that they are made unduly 
prominent. No enterprise of this nature is to be conducted, 
even to that degree of success of which it is rationally 
capable, by shutting our eyes to the obstacles. Indeed, the 
choice of means for accomplishing an end confessedly sur- 
rounded with the greatest difficulties is a choice only be- 
tween different sets of obstacles, and it has to be duly 
weighed which of these, if any, is absolutely insuperable. 
It is evidently the opinion of Payer that the difficulties in 
this case are not of that nature. It may be said now of 
this as of many other projects first scouted as visionary, that 
the conscientious study of its possibilities has placed it in 
the category of attempts sure to be made at no remote 
period in the future. 

Frankfort-on-the-Main, April 1, 1877. 
To the Editor of the Herald : 

The Congress of the United States had recently before it 
a bill, which was referred to the Naval Committee, provid- 
ing an appropriation of $50,000 for the establishment of a 
Polar colony. This colony is to be situated about four hun- 
dred miles from the North Pole, and to accomplish in patient 
leisure what the English North Pole expedition failed to 
achieve. The author of the project is Captain H. W. How- 
gate, of the United States Signal Service. Captain How- 
gate's plan is to plant a number of tough, determined and 



35 

experienced men somewhere in the vicinity of the Arctic 
Sea. The place in which the Discovery passed the last win- 
ter has been considered most suitable for this purpose. 
The colony is to consist of fifty men, to be engaged for three 
years. A house in Lady Franklin's Bay is to be their dwell- 
ing place ; an advance depot \s to be established at the place 
where the Alert wintered, and to be garrisoned with a few 
men in the summer, and both stations are to be connected 
by copper wire and the necessary portable batteries. A ship 
is to be sent out to plant the colony, and then return every 
year to bring it supplies. 

This plan for reaching the Pole is not only new, but also 
better than those on which the various expeditions by the 
way of Smith Sound were based. My personal wishes and 
views as to the Polar question in general I have already laid 
down in a previous article. I did this in the presumption 
that the efforts to reach the Pole would still continue despite 
all the objections that have been raised against their utility. 
For this reason, and because it is better that something should 
be done than nothing, every one will hail with great interest 
this American project, not so much from a hope of thereby 
reaching the goal, but from the probability of making new 
and valuable discoveries in a direction in which the United 
States have already won distinction. The following are the 
principal objections against Captain Howgate's plan: 

In the first place, it may reasonably be objected to the plan 
of establishing a Polar colony for three years that such a 
venture would really be only a three years' Polar expedition 
without a ship — a North Pole expedition which discards a 
ship from latitude 82° north because it is useless to have 
one. But the advantages expected could only be reaped by 
changing, or rather renewing, the colonists and provisions 
everj' three — or what would be still better — every two years. 
To expect that within three years a condition of the ice will 
be presented so favorable as to render it possible for a divis- 
ion of the colony to reach the Pole, seems far too sanguine a 
hope; but by multiplying the projected duration of the col- 
ony, there might be a chance of reaching this end, and it 
would be unnecessary to support the colony every year by 
sending a ship ; in fact, only steamers, and these, only under 
exceptionally favorable conditions, could succeed in reach- 
ing the colony. 

Both men and officers could calculate to remain two years 
in the colony, as disappointed hopes and impaired health 



36 

would .render their efforts for the third year entirely fruitless. 
The colonists would be in every respect castaways, and their 
position would be even worse than that of the men stationed 
on the summit of Pike's Peak, Mount Washington, or at 
Fort York. Not much aid could be expected from the coal 
beds found by the Discovery. We found some coal deposits 
on the second German North Pole expedition in Greenland, 
but very few lumps of coal could be obtained without blast- 
ing. 

According to Captain Howgate, the colony should only 
contain such men as would be capable of making scientific 
observations. The officers should undoubtedly be able to 
carry out all scientific labors, but I should be disinclined to 
engage for the work men not possessing the qualities which 
I mention further below (in discussing the question of equip- 
ment,) while the attainment of the North Pole remains the 
principal object of the expedition. I will now speak of the 
equipment of the expedition. 

A SEAMAN FOR COMMANDER. 

Perfect harmony in the conduct or direction of the expe- 
dition is the very first necessity. In modern times the direc- 
tion of Polar expeditions has been transferred to scholars 
like Kane, Hayes, Nordenskjold, Torell, &c. This course is 
permissible when the main objects of an expedition of small 
duration are discoveries in the domain of natural history, 
but not when the role of the seaman is an important one. 
Hence, the American expedition should be placed under the 
command of a seaman. 

SELECTION OF THE CREW. 

Next to the commander, the selection of the crew requires 
the greatest solicitude. It should be selected a consider- 
able time before the starting of the expedition, so as to 
give the incompetent members an opportunity of making 
place for those that are peculiarly fitted for the task. It is 
this process of selection, and not its nationality, which de- 
cides the value of the crew. It is true that excellent sea- 
manship is not equally distributed among all nations, but it 
would, nevertheless, require only sufficient time and proper 
care to procure in almost any country a model crew. It is 
often assumed that ability to endure cold must be the crucial 
test of fitness. This is an error. A sense of duty, endurance 
and determination are the most essential qualities. Habit 
soon overcomes cold. It often makes heroes out of sybar- 



37 

ites by the stern necessity of its endurance. Complete de- 
votion to the object and to the commander presupposes 
qualities which cannot often be judged in advance, and can- 
not either be purchased or sufficiently rewarded. The 
members of an expedition should only be volunteers, but 
not as was the case in the Russian expeditions, when the 
officers were " chosen " as volunteers, although they had de- 
clined to participate. 

INTELLIGENCE AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT. 

A certain degree of intelligence in the crew is of high 
importance. In many instances they must have certain 
powers of observation and reflection, and even a certain 
amount of knowledge, to meet danger and reach certain re- 
sults. But men who pass in a sledge from old to new ice 
without noticing it, who pay no attention for several hours 
to a frozen foot, who do not know how to handle their gun, 
who do not observe the formations of the country through 
which they are journeying — such men display an indiffer- 
ence which, be they even as brave as Achilles, may jeopard- 
ize the whole expedition. How great the indolence of the 
uneducated can be may be inferred from Franklin's retreat. 
His Canadians purposely threw away or destroyed the most 
indespensable objects, such as canoes, nets, &c.,to save them- 
selves the trouble of carding them. It was impossible to 
make them deal economically with the scant provisions. 
They resisted the orders of their commander, distrusted his 
directions as to places and routes, secretly wasted their am- 
munition, the one stole the other's food, and the only thing 
in which there was unanimity was the defiance of regula- 
tions made for the good of all. The American Polar col- 
ony would be in a position scarcely less exposed than that 
of Franklin and his comrades during their retreat. Seamen 
are better capable of maintaining discipline under such cir- 
cumstances than members of any other profession, and, 
therefore, the colony should mostly consist of them. 

HOW TO MAINTAIN DISCIPLINE. 

The intelligent crew, b} T reason of its greater indepen- 
dence, is one more difficult to lead than the ignorant. De- 
votion and blind confidence are rare among intelligent men, 
and to control them you must set them constantly a good 
example and act upon them by kindness and imperturbable 
calmness. The first law of a Polar expedition is obedience 
(the history of Polar expeditions narrates the revolts of the 



as 

crews commanded by Davis, Barentz, Weymouth, Hudson, 
Hall, T. Ross and many others,) and its foundation is mor- 
ality. Punishments are either impracticable, or, at all events, 
unreliable and irritating means of obtaining order. Their 
use, more especially in a private expedition, will sooner effect 
dissolution than discipline. Coercion and threats remain 
without results. It was thus fruitless to secure the success 
of an expedition by compelling the men who had just failed 
and returned to again resume their errand, a course adopted 
in the last century after every baffled effort to reach the goal 
from the Siberian Polar Sea, when many a distinguished dis- 
coverer was, after his return, degraded to a sailor. The best 
way of inciting meritorious emulation is to promise great 
rewards to the most deserving after the return home, but 
this should be done without naming the prospective recipi- 
ents of such honors during the pendency of the expedition. 
As to punitive deductions of pay, the men seldom pay any 
attention to such threats, and, with reason, because they 
are seldom enforced upon the return home. 

PECUNIARY INCENTIVES NEEDED. 

For the officers the scientific achievements will be suffi- 
cient recompense for their labors, but for the crew only ma- 
terial advantages can constitute their satisfactory reward. 
To be sure, money is but a weak incentive to men who are 
destined to remain for years among the icy deserts of the 
North, but it is, after all, the only means by which those in- 
different to ideal objects can be interested in their attain- 
ment. The crew commanded by Captain T. Ross received 
for four years of martyrdom, spent on the ice, only £100 each. 
The sailors of the second German expedition received from 
eight to twelve thallars per month, but the crew of the Te- 
gethoff were much better paid, and some of the sledge travel- 
lers received as much as 3,000 florins ($1,500.) A power- 
ful motor for herculean efforts may be obtained by grading 
the amount of pay according to the success attained. In 
1874 1 guaranteed to the men who accompanied me in sledges 
and should reach eighty-one degrees, $500, to those pene- 
trating to eighty-two degrees, $1,250, and to those reaching 
the eighty-third, $2,500, but in distributing these amounts 
among them merit was to be a decisive factor. Prudence, as 
well as justice, requires that the most deserving men should 
be protected from want after their return for the remainder 
of their lives. The crew of the TegethofaW received perma- 



39 

nent situations through the State; the crews of the Alert 
and Discovery got high premiums, and all the officers were 
promoted. 

I have dwelt somewhat extendedly upon the question of 
rewards, because individual experience teaches me their im- 
portance and because I presume that the new American ex- 
pedition will call forth the highest efforts and the most gen- 
uine devotion on the part of its members. 

WORTHLESS VOLUNTEERS. 

Volunteers without special fitness or knowledge available 
during a Polar expedition — i. e., volunteers who can offer 
nothing but their so-called enthusiasm, are worthless, and, 
if they belong to the better classes, they are finally found to 
be merely in the way. 

Contrary to the general opinion, I would not recommend 
the employment of men who have already taken part in ex- 
peditions, except, perhaps, the most deserving among those 
specially fitted for the work. Others are but too liable to 
deem their own experience as valuable as those of the com- 
mander, and if their views conflict, to oppose a passive resist- 
ance, which destroys the first element of successful obedience. 
On the other hand, men who enter upon their first expedi- 
tion are apt to receive the directions of an experienced leader 
with an attention which is generally only paid to revelations. 
Married men are to be excluded — a course adopted by Ba- 
rentz (1596) upon his second expedition, while the Tegethoff 
had five on board. 

The crew should consist of practiced pedestrians, moun- 
tain climbers and workmen. The}" should all belong to one 
nationality and be strong and healthy. The slightest indi- 
cations of a tendency to rheumatism or affection of the eye 
and ear or certain other chronic ailments to which sailors 
fall but too readily a prey render them unable to bear the 
hardships of a Polar climate, and more especially of a sledge 
journey. They are like drunkards in this, that they are ex- 
ceedingly liable to scurvy. Men under thirty are preferable 
to those above that age. 

A PHYSICIAN, PHOTOGRAPHER AND PAINTER NEEDED. 

The physician of an expedition should possess, besides his 
technical capacity, the most unconquerable patience, for to 
many of the sick he is as much a physician of the mind as 
of the body. Even if another doctor has already passed upon 



40 

the physical fitness of the man, he should still subject them 
to a rigorous examination, for he alone is finally held respon- 
sible for diseases which may subsequently break out. 

As an expedition should not only aim at its scientific ob- 
ject, but also at the dissemination of a correct idea or the as- 
pects of Polar nature, it is urgently to be-recommended that 
a photographer, and, still better, a painter also, accompany 
the expedition. A photographer is unfortunately circum- 
scribed in the limits of his usefulness by the immediate sur- 
roundings of his ship. A good painter, however, could give 
us from the interior of the colony house invaluable studies 
of nature, and particularly of Polar light effects. They would 
be invaluable because none exist. On exceptionally fine 
summer days such studies could even be made in the open 
air, provided that oil and not water colors were used. 

THOROUGH EQUIPMENT PREREQUISITE. 

In the equipment of the colony in general the principle 
of providing the temporarily banished with the utmost pos- 
sible comfort should prevail, as in all other Polar expedi- 
tions, even if subsequent experiences should baffle the 
efforts made in that direction. Ever since reading Kane's 
work, which I received as a school boy's prize, I have cher- 
ished the greatest admiration for that heroic man, as well as 
for Hayes, whose incomparable sledge journey has been al- 
ways present to my mind as a lofty ideal. Experience, 
however, has taught me to warn other expeditions from 
starting with such insufficient preparations, and this note of 
warning applies especially to America, where enthusiasm 
and love of sacrifice go hand in hand. An expedition which 
lacks the most essential modern aid, that of steam power, 
and which (like that of Kane) has only scant provisions 
during the first winter and has to live on dried apples the 
second, takes place under conditions even worse than the 
winter sojourns of Barentz and Hudson. The smallness of 
the ships in the instances above referred to was partly the 
cause of the insufficient equipment. Small ships facilitate 
the passage through the ice, but, deducting the space re- 
quired for the accommodation of those on board, for the 
machines and coal, such ships cannot hold supplies and pro- 
visions for more than two years and a half. The American 
colony, however, is to be equipped for three years; a port- 
able house is to be erected, and twice the usual number of 
ship's crew is to be taken out. The only alternative, there- 



41 

fore, would be to select a ship of about the size of the Dis- 
covery. 

HOW TO FIT UP THE COLONY'S HOUSE. 

Among all circumstances, it is preferable that the 
members of the expeditions shall remain on board the ship 
instead of staying in such a house. The ship is warmer 
and there is less accumulation of ice around it. But as a 
house is to be erected and used, it should be fitted up for 
the special use of such an expedition in order to overcome 
the disadvantages I have named. Of course, the house 
should be made as dense as a ship, and the living rooms 
should be provided with watertight tapestry (vulcanized In- 
dia rubber carpets and hangings.) The house should also 
be protected outside by a layer of snow several inches thick, 
and the windows should be covered up. To heat the 
rooms with ordinary stoves is not advisable, owing to their 
unequal distribution of heat, and this can only be secured 
by the feeding stoves, (Fullofen,) which possess the additional 
advantage of consuming less coal. The stovepipes should 
not lead straight up, so that the heat does not escape too, 
soon, but they should be distributed through the room. Hot 
air, conducted through pipes, is still more preferable, because 
it counteracts the formation of ice. Bricks will be found use- 
ful in some parts of the building. A separate chamber can 
be covered over with tin, and then used for washing, dry- 
ing and bathing. The use of a bath in these northern re- 
gions is highly advantageous to health, because the skin re- 
ceives no other friction. Petroleum will light the living 
rooms sufficiently, but in the cabins stearine candles are 
preferable to petroleum or train oil. Of great importance 
is the construction of lamps, (i.e., observation lamps,) which 
should be used in the winter in the open air, and are not so 
likely to be extinguished by the blasts of the wind or to be 
frozen up. Even petroleum freezes at 20 degrees R. Mas- 
sive grated circular glass lamps, of self-warming capacity, are 
best fitted for personal use in the open air. They are so 
popular that it is good to have quite a number. All doors 
should have latch-hooks and pull-weights. 

SOME USEFUL HINTS IN MINOR MATTERS. 

An important question in passing a winter in the Arctic 
regions is to maintain pure air and an equable heat. The 
first named requisite is secured by boring a few holes under- 



42 

neatb (at the door) for the ingress, and above (at the ceiling) 
for the exit of the air, and covering them over with con- 
densing vessels. The colony should also not omit to par- 
tially surround the house with outbuildings of stone or 
snow, which can be used for storehouses or windless pas- 
sages and ante-courts, and these latter could be roofed over 
with strong canvas. 

Discipline requires that the officers and crew should live 
separately. To transfer the kitchen, also, to the crew's 
room, with a hope of saving coal thereby, is not advisable, 
because it would too greatly increase the accumulation of 
moisture. As long as the men remain in the house they 
will not require furs, even in the greatest cold Close fit- 
ting woolen underwear and stout clothing will suffice in 
most cases, although the temperature in the interior of a 
house is lower than it is on shipboard. To take fur-lined 
leather boots is not advisable. They are of great weight, 
become stiff and soon lose their utility by freezing and by 
the wearing out of the fur. Boots made of seal or reindeer 
skin are preferable, but the latter should not be exposed to 
wet and ought to be covered with a cloth. 

HOW TO SUPPLY THE COLONY. 

The colony will have to suffer more from wet than even 
expeditions do on shipboard. The changing temperature 
and condensation of the water steam will exert a disturbing 
influence upon the instruments. Thick ice films will settle 
upon them as soon as the observer brings them into the 
living rooms from the open air, and then they should not 
be touched, but allowed to evaporate their steam. All in- 
struments taken along by the colony should be cleaned by 
an optician without oil, so that they shall not freeze, and 
the gunmaker should do the same with the guns, whose 
barrels should be dark colored, so that they be less liable to 
rust. Ammunition, powder fuses for blasting the ice, as 
well as alcohol and petroleum, require tight vessels, and the 
last named two liquors should only be accessible through 
pumps that can be kept well closed. As for the rest, the 
largest supply of saws, ice augurs, shovels, ice creepers, 
handles, poles, leather boots, leather, water-tight linen, 
strong cloth, buffalo hides, flannel, &c, should be taken 
out. As to solid food, two pounds per man will be enough 
for the colony, but on sledge journeys two pounds and 
three-quarters will be required. This allowance should in- 



43 

elude one pound of bread and one pound of preserved meat. 
Besides the usual other supplies, (in which salt meat should 
be avoided as much as possible,) great quantities of pre- 
served vegetable, cocoa, meat extract, rice, pea sausage and 
dried farinaceous food (maccaroni, nudels, &c.,) are highly 
advisable. Fresh bread twice a week, instead of the hard 
biscuit, is very conducive to health. Indispensable are 
plenty of tea and tobacco, and the latter, more especially, 
is sadly missed by seamen. Instances have occurred 
when the crew would smoke boiled and redried tea, lunt, 
agaric, moss, and even paper, as they did on the Austrian 
expedition. Moderate use of spirituous drinks is to be 
recommended ; their influence on health and good fellow- 
ship is great. It is very difficult, however, to keep any 
sufficient quantity of wine, more especially in winter, as all 
sorts of wine freeze at five to eight degrees R. Even on 
shipboard the preservation of wine is very difficult, and it 
will be still more so in the home of the colony. It will be 
better, therefore, to take but little wine, but all the more 
good strong rum. The wine (often the best medicine for 
the sick in these regions) and other indispensable liquids 
can only be kept in the heated rooms under the tables, near 
the stoves, or under the berths. To prepare chemical wine 
during the expedition could be but a dreary makeshift. 
Even the beer which the English expedition brewed on 
shipboard from malt and hops would be found better. In 
the colony's home the brewing will require exceedingly 
slight development of steam, and during extreme cold it 
will be found impossible to produce fermentation. 

A CHAPTER ON HEALTH. 

The most careful solicitude should be bestowed upon the 
selection of preventives of scorbutic diseases. A ration of 
lime juice should be issued daily, and all anti-scorbutic kinds 
of food should be provided in abundant quantities. In itself 
the Arctic air is not unhealthy; on the contrary, catarrh of 
eveiy description grows less and less, and even the exposures 
to cold, such as are caused by the frigid temperature and the 
sudden changes of the temperature, pass by without danger. 
Whether this favorable condition is owing to a change in 
the ozone contents of the air, remains to be seen. But, even 
without the climate, there will be many disturbing influences, 
many privations, labors, moisture ; perhaps, also, the depress- 
ing effect of disappointments, and sometimes even insuffi- 



44 

cient opportunity for physical exercise. Polar expeditions 
are not so dangerous or so frequently fatal as those in the 
tropics, but infinitely more arduous. The vital powers, 
however, are lessened year by year by the obstructions to 
the formation of blood through the unfavorable conditions of 
life, by the more or less unwholesome, because water-tight, 
clothes, which repress perspiration, by the lack of fresh ani- 
mal and vegetable food, the want of light and warmth, &c. 
This diminution of the vital forces will require the renewal 
of the crew in not more than three years. 

HOW TO COMBAT SCURVY. 

In spite of all care, however, in equipping the expedi- 
tion — and a small library should be included for mental 
occupation — I do not doubt that it will be afflicted with 
scurvy. Apart from sufferings produced by severe cold, 
the Polar traveler is not exposed to any form of disease as 
much as he is to scurvy, and its appearance has the most 
dismal effect. When it spreads to any extent the useful- 
ness of the expedition is ended. Parry took the moisture 
in the bedding as the principal cause of scurvy, and while 
on Melville Island he used sorrel against it with great ad- 
vantage. He considered beer as the greatest anti-scorbutic 
of all drinks. During T. Ross' second expedition it be- 
came manifest that vegetable food, more especially flour, 
was of no avail in battling against scurvy. The consump- 
tion of fish, seal and train oil will, however, be found of 
some benefit. Probably without reason it has been as- 
sumed that chewing tobacco has an anti-scorbutic tendency 
in seamen, while the insufficient supply of water, the ex- 
cessive consumption of salt or pickled meat, the un cleanli- 
ness, the long and severe cold and the sensitiveness to it 
have been deemed favorable to its development. Except- 
ing the tropics, the experience has been that scurvy appears 
most generally in the winter and spring, and it is, doubt- 
less, encouraged by poor living. Nevertheless, even abun- 
dant animal and vegetable food form no perfect preventive 
of scurvy. 

In the absence of fresh vegetable food and of seals the 
colony will be compelled to hunt land animals. Lime juice, 
raw potatoes, sour fruit, (not mineral acid,) fresh vegetables, 
wine, beer lees, exercise in the open air and cheerfulness, 
important as they all are in preventing scurvy, do not, after 
all, take the place of fresh meat in the Arctic regions. I 



45 

even remember cases of men who neglected all these pre- 
cautions, and yet, by eating plenty of fresh meat, saved 
themselves from scurvy. As to lime juice, it is an excellent 
preventive, but when the disease has once broken out, is of 
little curative value. Temperature is of great importance. 
During wet and chilly weather the patient will grow worse, 
but in dry weather he will improve. In scorbutic affections 
of the mouth it is advisable to take off the excresences with 
scissors and to pencil them over with muriatic acid. As an 
additional preventive of scurvy I should recommend that 
the crew sleep in swinging hammocks instead of berths, 
thus escaping the danger of moist bedding. The patients 
on board the Tegethojf recovered at once as soon as they 
were transferred to a dry cabin, while the occupants of 
damp cabins suffered more or less from scurvy all the time. 

ABOUT SLEDGES AND THEIR CONSTRUCTION. 

As it is the task of the colony to reach the Pole by means 
of boats and sledges, I will give herewith my experiences in 
regard to their use. 

To accomplish the journey to the Pole with sledges alone 
would require a coast along whose solid ice they could pro- 
ceed, and which would terminate in a meridional direction. 
As there is no mainland north of Grant Land, the boat and 
not the sledge must be the leading factor of the American 
enterprise. The sledges can only serve to bring boats and 
provisions over the obstructive ice barriers. The success of 
the expedition, however, depends entirely on the frequency 
with which such passages must be effected, and with which 
the boats can be sailed or rowed. 

As to the construction of the sledges I would suggest the 
following : The runners should be eleven feet long, two and 
three-quarter inches wide, one and a half feet high and ca- 
pable of supporting at least 2,000 pounds. They should be 
made of ash, shod with steel and terminated at both ends in 
soft curves. The ends should be high so as to be visible above 
deep snow. At the back there is a contrivance for steering and 
pushing the sledge, and this cannot be constructed too solidly. 
The cooking machine should be made of one piece, and no 
soldering is permissible, as it should be capable of developing 
the intensest heat and prevent its escape, and, of course, as 
little alchohol as possible should be burned. For holding 
the alchohol little kegs of twenty quarts will be best. As 
the journey to the Pole can only be undertaken in the sum- 



46 

mer, no tents or sleeping sack (schlaisack) is necessary, but 
it will be sufficient to cover the boats at night in teut fash- 
ion. Double-barrelled Lefancheur guns for bullets and small 
shot and copper cartridges should form the armament. Bis- 
cuit should be transported in bags, the other supplies in tin 
boxes. 

ABOUT BOATS AND THEIR EQUIPMENT. 

The boats should be made neither of tin, metal nor 
leather, India rubber or water-tight linen, but of wood. 
They should be large enough to contain the whole crew, 
with the sledges placed across them. The boats used by 
the Norwegians in the Arctic Sea (" Fangboote ") are well 
available, except that their hold is too small. They ac- 
commodate seven or eight men, but on account of their 
sharp keel they can only be drawn with difficulty over the 
deep snow without sledges. It is, however, impracticable 
to draw boats for any considerable distances over the ice 
without sledges. To use runners for the transportation of 
the boats is not advisable, because they are soon worn out. 
The boats should be about 20 feet long, 5J feet wide and 
2J feet high. The mast yard should be made of bamboo 
cane. Seven men would, according to the experience of 
the Teqethoff expedition, require the following supplies, 
apart from the results of probable hunting, for three 
months : Pemican, 245 pounds; pea sausage, 400 pounds ; 
boiled beef, 400 pounds ; flour, 100 pounds ; bread, 250 pounds; 
chocolate, 90 pounds; salt, 15 pounds; meat entrail, 10 
pounds; tea,. 4 pounds. To this should be added 240 
pounds of alcohol, giving a total, without the boats and 
their inventory, of 1,800 pounds. The personal equipment 
of the travelers should consist of two woolen shirts, one 
wollen pair of drawers, three pairs of woolen stockings, 
leather water boots and caps, and a light fur coat to sleep 
in. 

DOGS AND MEN. 

Newfoundland dogs of extraordinary strength would be 
very useful in passing over the ice cakes, but in the boats 
they would be in the way. Although Esquimaux would be 
quite available in the colony, their appetite on the way north 
is enough to forbid their employment. As the expedition 
to the North Pole has only a chance of success if the sledges 
are used as little as possible and the boats find nearly 
constant free passage, it is self-evident that their crews 



47 

should consist almost entirely of seamen of unusual physical 
strength. 

As to the number of the boats, at least two or three should 
start on the journey to the Pole. From fourteen to twenty- 
one men are capable of separating with poles the obstruct- 
ing ice barriers, (thus saving time in the passage,) to lift 
heavy boats and place them upon the sledges, &c. A smaller 
number would be nearly helpless in the face of the innu- 
merable difficulties that are sure to present themselves. 

In conclusion, a few remarks as to the chances of reaching 
the Pole from Grant Land. To accomplish in one summer 
800 or 900 miles in an air line to the Pole and back in the 
Arctic Sea in boats — sledges being only useful in passing 
over obstructions — the expedition must find a pretty unin- 
terrupted series of open water channels. If they find land 
they can easily penetrate along the coast to its highest north- 
ern point while the wind is favorable. Where there is no 
land the advance will depend upon the most favorable con- 
ditions of the ice, unless the expedition should be unfortu- 
nate enough to share the experience of the Austrian on its 
retreat, which accomplished only two German miles in two 
months. The most favorable moment for beginning the 
journey could easily be signalized by an advance post in the 
winter quarters of the Alert, but it will not be so easy to 
seize it, because by the time the expedition had reached the 
northeasterly corner of Grant Land it may have already 
passed by. The ice being still dense and intact in June, and 
still reaching far south, it is useless to attempt to force a pass- 
age where the breaking up of the pack into the floating ice 
some four or six weeks later secures at least a partially open 
water channel. Hence, the start should not be made before 
July, and even under the most auspicious circumstances no 
open passage of any extent will be met in Lincoln Sea be- 
fore the end of that month. August affords really the best 
time for the journey, and at its end the retreat should begin, 
otherwise the expedition may become a prey of the new ice. 
For ships these channels will be impassable, but boats may 
force themselves through. The boats, again, lack the force 
of pressure and afford a smaller visual ken for a selection of 
the route. The only alternate is to pursue that direction in 
which the water reflection of the sky points. As to the dis- 
tance which the expedition will accomplish per day, it may 
not be over a few hundred paces under unfavorable circum- 
stances — i. e., with frecpaent passages over the ice cakes — 



48 

but under more favorable conditions and tolerably open 
channels it may reach from twenty to thirty nautical miles. 
In every respect the passage through Lincoln Sea will closely 
resemble the retreat of the Austro-Hungarian expedition 
from Erancis Joseph's Land. It is to be ardently hoped that 
it may be attended with equal good fortune. 

Julius Payer. 



m££ 



■ . \\ ti \ > 



, 'AW ■• ASS '■'■' % ■" A aA^ 






$ AA*/^ 
AAA'" • 






^^a 



■ ■ a" ":.*, «^' ..^***;.^ - -■■ a ^aaa ai 






$"; :^ 



V~' .-A .finUW'AAlA'fl^ 






*A«^ 



Aa 



WW 






AA' ! ! '• • ^ ; 



^aaAAA 



ffff^l 



mfc$ 



,aAa a aa 



,A A ^A-' 



WY*A 






.tfwywAWtw* 



n 'a' 



*M/W 






.*nPW 



/WW 






^mw 



- i ^AHi 



:/$V? 



A^A A rOoA A ^^ 



^/5AA 






./VVWV 



^' A ^ a .aaA a aAaAA 



v.aa ' ■:'. ^ 



aAaaaa 



aAa,o,aA^ 






; 'Mlw , 



Vtf^HhfifffvpffCWteM* 1 



Wti^^ffifift 



vwtf** 



iA^A^-' 



ww 



vAaAAa 



aaAAA^A.^ 



^aHaa**-' 



A**f\rf 



^AKr!An w W 



•^ . - - - * _ ^ /"\ a ^ - *■ 






■•Y^flT 












A^' 



I'AAWY 



.WW 



^a^a*a a ^ 



.«..". Arv^ . • »»»*( . y»AAA^ 



Mrs'rt&W 



aA*M* 



WW 



S^AK^flW 



r>rv p T - - Caa^a ^aAAaAA 



